What is one thing you would do differently..?

Question

For those already married. If you could go back and do the whole wedding planning thing over, what is one thing you would do differently? ,

Answer 1

Several things...

I would have never hired a videographer...tape sits in the closet and the one my two brother-in-laws made was much better.

Don't skimp on photos...but once the reception begins tell the photographer to turn invisible. I've seen many photogs monopolize a reception.

I would never have done the "do-it-yourself reception. We rented a hall and decorated and set up everything (we did get a caterer). Too much work on an already busy week.


One last thing...DO NOT "MUG" FOR THE CAMERA!!! My wife kept making faces (because she is easily embarrassed and it made her feel less self-conscious). She ruined most of what should have been beautiful shots. Every time she looks at our rejected photo pile she cries her eyes out.

Answer 2

absolutely nothing! my husband and I have talked about this. If we had more money to invest, what would we have changed? I mean ok I would have gone over things with my DJ a little better. My mother had her feelings hurt when he accidentally introduced the grooms parents before the brides parents. I didn't like my flower arrangement. The florist did nothing like the pictures I showed for mine, but my maids looked nice. He did use yellow when I told him I hated yellow.

Such minor things that I only come up with when someone asks specificially You must do Something different. However I wish my mother had not gotten so stressed out. The pictures of her look horrible--she was so stressed! But if I could go back and do it again, I still wouldn't know how to calm her down and make her relax.

But everything went perfectly. I had the perfect bridesmaids, in gorgeous dresses. The reception was beautiful; we had tons of compliments on the wine. I stayed calm and the pictures looked great. We didn't spend too much.

Really perhaps the only thing I wish we had done (which we plan on doing for the 2 year anniversary) is get a bridal portrait made. I wanted to get a picture of us done in Duke Gardens, the same place his parents got married.

Answer 3

Hi. I wish I was getting married now instead of 30 years ago! Now...there are sooooo many options. Back then...everything was the same. A church ceremony followed by a dinner buffet and dancing.

I don't like attention on me....so I would have something really small...in a chapel somewhere...or perhaps outside....then a small informal party after with ONLY family and close friends....not people I don't know or haven't even met!!

Good luck with YOUR planning. And it's definitely a good idea to see what other people regret or would change. Good question!

Answer 4

I wouldn't change anything. We got married at the courthouse with our immediate families there. My BIL took video. It's funny because midway through the ceremony we both realized that we were still chewing our gum. We went to my parent's house after. They bought us a cake and we had a few snacks and punch. My Mom made us a Just Married sign to put on the car. We got a few very nice gifts and that was it. After the party was over my husband and I went home and put everything away and watched our video and laughed at ourselves. This was 9 1/2 yrs. ago. We had thought to do a vow renewal ceremony to have something a little more formal but over the years we realized that we don't need it.

Answer 5

I would have hired a private room in a restaurant rather than use the reception venue we used. It was stunning but there were so many restrictions that we were not told about and by then it was too late to change our venue. Don't get me wrong we had so much fun and the wedding was just what we wanted, but given hind-sight I would have used a different place to have the party.

Answer 6

I would have paid for a photographer.
We had my friend do it, she takes great pictures...but with all the large immediate family after the reception trying to get all together for the shots, both her and I got frustrated and told everyone to go back to the reception after that...we totally forgot to take pics of just my husband and I.
We only have two pics of just us, and we had to search high and low for them with other people who were there and have my friend photoshop other people out of the pic.

When I realized that I was so upset. Its not a big deal really, but it makes me really sad.

There were other things that didn't go as planned - the relative who did the flowers didn't follow any of my directions or ideas, this after three meetings with her, and did her own thing..plus the flowers were somewhat wilted because she insisted on having them delivered to her house 2 hours away, -she drove them in a hot car for two hours to our venue!


But really, just the 100% lack of photos of just my husband and I is the one thing I regret.

Answer 7

Realize that is not about the wedding it is about the marriage. The wedding is only one day and the marriage is a life time. I would not be so stressed and needed a nap right after the ceremony.

Answer 8

The only thing I would have done longer is make my reception longer. We only had about 3 hours, and it really wasn't long enough after we ate, cut the cake and had the first dance. I would have 4 - 5 hours. Other than that it was the most perfect day of my life!

Answer 9

I wouldn't have had my reception where we had it, it ended up not being what I thought, but hindsight is 20/20.

Specifically, I would have had a videographer. I regret not doing that. We decided to cut costs and that's what was deleted. The day went by so fast, I hardly remember any of it. I wish I had the ceremony, the dancing, the cake cutting, etc on a dvd. :(

Answer 10

I would have had someone take photos at our reception. We had our wedding a month prior to the reception and had a photographer for that. But for our reception we didn't have anyone designated to take photos. We didn't want formal photos at the reception but it would have been nice to have photos of the flowers, food, and cake. Oh well, we still have our great memories.